5.3. Puf string: rubber cork
The concept of “Puf-String” (700 700 350 mm) is focused on
the direct use of industrially available cork materials for new
products without any need for complex production processes and
finishing. The idea here is to make maximum use of the laminated
sheets of industrial cork rolls which are cut in continuous strips.
Thus, after a simple perforation process, the puff string is mounted
three dimensionally, producing a seat with a round shape using join
screws. To stabilize the structure, a belt of the same material is
fastened around the circle. The final result is a seat, deriving from
the flexibility and possibility of being moulded, taking the rubber
cork characteristics to the very limit of its elastic property. Designed
by Ana Mestre for Design Cork in 2008 (Mestre, 2008) and
implemented in 2011 by Corque design (CORQUE, 2011). The “PufString”
cradle to gate characterisation is depicted in Table 3.